ORCHESTRAS and bands made up of schoolchildren in Worcestershire have been praised.

Worcestershire County Council’s youth music service, which runs the groups, was given positive feedback in an independent review of local authority music services.

A report into the service outlined how it had developed over the past year and recognised the outstanding achievement of its orchestras and bands and the high value placed on its whole class instrumental tuition programmes.

Worcestershire Youth Music delivers music lessons to more than 8,000 schoolchildren across the county every week, as well as running a wide range of musical groups for pupils of every age and ability.

The strength of the leadership team was also praised in the review, led by the nationwide Music Services Evaluation Partner Initiative.

Richard Hart, head of Bedfordshire Music Service, who led the evaluation, said: “Worcestershire Youth Music is now making good progress.

“There is significant potential within the newly established senior management team to respond to future challenges and promote further improvements in teaching and learning.”

Colin Farlow, acting head of Worcestershire Youth Music, said: “This is well deserved recognition for the hard work and dedication that the WYM team of teachers, admin staff and managers have put into music education in Worcestershire."”

The review took place in the autumn term of 2010 and was the third of a three-year moderation process.